Choose a Windows Vista Capable or Premium Ready PC for the Windows Vista edition that’s right for you.
Are you looking to buy a Windows XP-based computer today but want to make sure that it can run Windows Vista? There’s no need to wait. When you buy a new PC that carries the Windows Vista Capable or Premium Ready PC designation, you’ll be able to upgrade to one of the editions of Windows Vista while taking advantage of all the opportunities offered by Windows XP today.
What is a Windows Vista Capable PC?
A new PC that carries the Windows Vista Capable PC logo can run Windows Vista. All editions of Windows Vista will deliver core experiences such as innovations in organizing and finding information, security, and reliability. All Windows Vista Capable PCs will run these core experiences at a minimum. Some features available in the premium editions of Windows Vista—like the new Windows Aero user experience—may require advanced or additional hardware.
A Windows Vista Capable PC includes at least:
* A modern processor (at least 800MHz1).
* 512 MB of system memory.
* A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.
Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs
To get an even better Windows Vista experience, including the Windows Aero user experience, ask for a Windows Vista Capable PC that is designated Premium Ready, or choose a PC that meets or exceeds the Premium Ready requirements described below. Features available in specific premium editions of Windows Vista, such as the ability to watch and record live TV, may require additional hardware.
A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:
* 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor1.
* 1 GB of system memory.
* Support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDDM driver, 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum)2, Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel.
* 40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.
* DVD-ROM Drive3.
* Audio output capability.
* Internet access capability.
The Editions
|
HOME BASICFor basic home needs such as e-mail and Internet access.
|
HOME PREMIUM
For the best home computing and entertainment.
|
BUSINESS
For small and mid-sized organizations.
|
ULTIMATE
For work and entertainment, this is the most complete edition.
|
| Details | Details | Details | Details |
| FEATURES |
Home Basic
|
Home Premium
|
Business
|
Ultimate
|
| Most secure Windows ever with Windows Defender and Windows Firewall |
sim |
sim | sim | sim |
| Quickly find what you need with Instant Search and Windows Internet Explorer 7 |
sim | sim | sim | sim |
| Elegant Windows Aero desktop experience with Windows Flip 3D navigation |
sim | sim | sim | |
| Best choice for laptops with enhanced Windows Mobility Center and Tablet PC support |
sim | sim | sim | |
| Collaborate and share documents with Windows Meeting Space |
sim | sim | sim | |
| Experience photos and entertainment in your living room with Windows Media Center |
sim | sim | ||
| Enjoy Windows Media Center on TVs throughout your home with Xbox 360â„¢ and other devices |
sim | sim | ||
| Help protect against hardware failure with advanced business backup features |
sim | sim | ||
| Business networking and Remote Desktop for easier connectivity |
sim | sim | ||
| Better protect your data against loss or theft with Windows BitLockerâ„¢ Drive Encryption |
sim |
Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor
Want to see if your Windows XP-based PC can run Windows Vista? Just download, install, and run the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor.
This small software tool will scan your computer and create an easy-to-understand report of all known system, device, and program compatibility issues, and recommend ways to resolve them. Upgrade Advisor can also help you choose the edition of Windows Vista that best fits the way you want to use your computer.
Before you begin
Before you run the Upgrade Advisor, be sure to plug in any USB or other attachable peripheral devices (such as printers, external hard drives, or scanners) that are regularly used with the PC that you’re evaluating.
Download: Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor
Additional information
- The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor works with 32-bit versions of Windows XP and Windows Vista. It will not work with Windows 98, Windows 2000, or Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.
- Here are answers to some common questions about the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor.
- The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor does not collect or send any personal, identifiable data to Microsoft Corporation or third parties. See the Upgrade Advisor privacy statement for details.
Upgrade Planning for Windows Vista
For many of you, the experience of Windows Vista will begin with the purchase of a new PC. For others, however, the experience begins by upgrading your current PC, and it’s important to know and understand the upgrade options.
Your upgrade options are dependent on the version of Windows that is currently running on your PC. Below is some information to help you start planning for an upgrade to Windows Vista. As we get closer to the launch of Windows Vista, we will provide even more detailed guidance to help ensure a smooth upgrade experience.
The options
You can upgrade from your current edition of Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 2000 to a corresponding or better edition of Windows Vista by purchasing and installing an upgrade copy of Windows Vista. Depending on which edition of Windows you are running and the edition of Windows Vista you would like to install, you have two options for the installation process:
In-place upgrade
You can upgrade in-place, which means you can install Windows Vista and retain your applications, files, and settings as they were in your previous edition of Windows.
Clean install
Upgrading to Windows Vista with a clean install means that you should use Windows Easy Transfer to automatically copy all your files and settings to an extra hard drive or other storage device, and then install Windows Vista. After the installation is complete, Windows Easy Transfer will reload your files and settings on your upgraded PC. You will then need to reinstall your applications.
The table below outlines the upgrade options mapped to the different Windows Vista editions.
| WINDOWS VISTA EDITIONS | ||||
| Home Basic | Home Premium | Business | Ultimate | |
IPI: In-place installation option available.
Notes:
If you are currently using Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Professional x64, you are eligible for an upgrade copy to a corresponding or better edition of Windows Vista, but a clean install is required.
For versions of Windows earlier than Windows 2000, upgrade copies are not available. These earlier versions of Windows require you to install a full copy of Windows Vista.
If the edition of Windows Vista that you choose to install will result in a loss of functionality over your current edition of Windows, a clean install must be done or the installation must be completed to a new partition on your PC.
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